Professional historian and archivist, he graduated in history and German language from the Faculty of Arts at Palacký University in Olomouc. He has been devoted to woodcarving since 1974. In the beginning of this interest, like many other educated but untrained artists, there was an effort to use general aesthetics rules and academic sculpture principles when portraying figures. Gradually, this interest transformed into a compelling need to transform wood into expressive figures, to convey something of himself and his feelings through sculpture. Peter Zoričák found his space and satisfaction in his own creation through conscious use of folk art principles, but with distinctive traces of his own handwriting, deliberately setting himself apart from other contemporary and past authors working with these creation methods.

In his works, he shows a natural sense for composition. His Nativity scenes, Adoration of the Magi, Adoration of the Shepherds, saints – all of this follows a canon expressed by the author through balanced composition, mostly on a central axis which in Gothic and iconographic art expresses the main principle of the world: one axis – one God. The principle of balance in the image or sculpture is characteristic of folk art, which prefers order over chaos and a crossing of lines. The repetition of carving these motifs, using means of representation from traditional folk sculpture, and consciously using elements of clothing or attributes that become a symbol on the sculpture with a meaningful value, as well as the confrontation with the surrounding environment and its positive or cooler reception, give Peter Zoričák not only the acquisition of manual skills but also the opportunity to regulate his artistic language. Although close to folk expression, his choice of depicted elements and themes is characterized by his way of working with them, utilizing them as an element that contributes to the expression, atmosphere of the sculpture. He avoids descriptive representation when unnecessary; his expressive means include abbreviation and simplification. He has developed his approach to sculpture and continues to improve it, consciously exploring new possibilities within the same boundaries of abstracting elements generally perceived as part of folk culture. The process, which in the past involved several creators over multiple generations, is concentrated in one person. He repeats and varies the same motifs deliberately, aligns himself with the understanding of the laws of folk creation, yet at the same time he injects his own self into it. By using simple means, far from academicism which he flirted with in his early works, and employing artistic means resembling folk expression, Zoričák allows his sculptures to speak, evoke mood, atmosphere, and the character of the depicted figure or situation. However, the sculptures express his, the author’s, positive relationship with people, an optimistic view of the world, charging with a positive energy which they spread outward. The wood, the structure of its various parts, the shape cut or carved from the whole tree often dictates a story to the author, guiding his chisel, making each work unique even when portraying the same motif. The sculptor subjects this wood to his will, imposes upon it ideas, stories, moods. The acquired mastery of carving over the years, his own expressive elements, and even the colorfulness, ensure that despite repetition, or precisely because of it, the dialogue of Peter Zoričák with wood and the viewer with his sculpture is always different.

He focuses on creating sculptures and reliefs with themes from folk life, especially with religious themes such as Nativity scenes, angels. He carves stylized sculptures with zoomorphic themes (dogs, cats, horses, owls, various birds). Some sculptures are polychromed. In his free work, he experiments with more modern forms of expression and with themes unconventional for folk sculpture, such as nudes.

In 2002, he was awarded the title of Master of Folk Art Production in the field of wood production – sculpture, granted by the Commission for Assessing the Professional Competence of Folk Art Workers.

More information on the work of Peter Zoričák can be found in the articles:

Zajíčková M.: Drevený pokus, RUD 4/2004

Jelenčík, B.: Svätenie dreva, RUD 1/2021